The occurrence of the H 3+ ion in the mass spectra of organic compounds

Abstract

The H 3 + ion is shown to be a normal component of low yield in the fragmentation pattern of organic compounds (except C 2H 2). The pattern of H 3 + is tabulated for the 780 eV mass spectrum of each of 33 compounds of various types. Specific studies of the energetics of formation of H 3 + from CH 4, C 2H 6 and CH 3Cl, and of D 3 + from CD 4 were conducted. The H 3 + ion is shown to be derived from two sources, a low initial kinetic energy component which arises from fragmentation of the singly charged molecular ion and a high initial kinetic energy component whose appearance potential and kinetic energy release are consistent with fragmentation of the doubly charged molecular ion. Systematic variations of H 3 + pattern factors with carbon number are shown for the n-alkanes and 1-alkenes and with halogen type for the series of methyl halides.